November 6, 2003 --One clear winner in the Nov. 4 statewide elections was an
increasing focus on ethical campaigning and thoughtful discussion
of issues
by candidates. Contributing to that were the 29 graduates of the
Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, a non-partisan political
leadership program at the University of Virginia, who were elected
to office at all levels of government in all corners of Virginia
on Tuesday.

Among
the graduates winning office were nine members of the House of
Delegates, including five who were re-elected and
four new members.
Overall, 60 graduates of Sorensen Institute programs were running
this fall, and 29 of them were successful in their bids for office.

Bill
Wood, director of the Sorensen Institute, said, “We
are immensely proud of the five Republicans and four Democrats
who will be members of the General Assembly. They are a great
group who understand the value of working together and respecting
other
people’s opinions.”

“Election
day is always exciting for us. Between all the people running
and working on campaigns it is a very busy time for
our alumni,” said Sean T. O’Brien, deputy director of the
Sorensen Institute. “The rest of the year we celebrate
the contributions of the majority of our graduates who are
not office
holders, but are serving the citizens of Virginia as community
leaders and civic activists. ”

Dozens
of graduates of the Sorensen Institute also serve on state boards
and commissions
appointed by the governor,
as
well as
on local boards and commissions.

The
Sorensen Institute, founded in 1993, offers several intensive
programs each year
on public policy, campaigning
skills and
ethical leadership, including programs for young people
interested in
government, politics and public service.

Below
is a list of the graduates of the various Sorensen Institute
programs who
were elected or re-elected to
office on Nov. 4,
2003.